





Why is it so hard?

Smartphones and tablet computers are largely output devices. In other words, with mobile devices, it's easier to consume content than to create it. The reasons are simple: phones and tablets typically don’t include full keyboards and mice, which are critical elements for entering statistical data, generating charts, producing graphics, manipulating layout, keying text, and managing similar elements.

Whenever I do see phones and tablets married to Bluetooth keyboards, I’m taken aback. Apple and other manufacturers make laptops, so if you need a full keyboard and a pointing device, you’re better served using a full-fledged laptop.

Read more about iWork on TechRepublic:

iWork apps make it easier

Apple’s iWork suite makes generating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations easier when you're using iOS. Although Apple’s taken heat from long-time users, recent simplification of the Pages, Numbers, and Keynote iOS applications helps users by distilling the applications’ functionality down to its basic elements. When trying to create compelling files on a mobile device, screen space is at a premium, so toolbars, layout guides, menu elements, and other navigational and interface items must be cannibalized.

Apple understands and has simplified its iOS iWorks apps accordingly. However, I still find it difficult to create professional documents, spreadsheets, and presentations using just an iPad or an iPhone. That said, I’ve created hundreds of iPad documents and dozens of spreadsheets while collecting data and performing field audits and assessments. In my experience -- especially when I need to return field-generated notes, spreadsheets, reports, or presentations to a client -- I’ve found myself editing and upgrading the files using my desktop computer.

How do you create files on the fly?

